Montevideo poised to unveil new terminal

The new USD134 million terminal at Carrasco International Airport serving the Uruguayan capital Montevideo is due to enter service on 9 December 2009, following the official inauguration on 5 October.

Construction of a replacement terminal building parallel to Runway 06/24 began in February 2007. Designed by Rafael Viñoly Architects, the terminal was created to expand capacity and spur commercial growth and tourism in the surrounding region. Passenger traffic at Carrasco International has risen steadily in recent years, from 835,203 in 2002 to 1.24 million in 2008. Around 2.8 million passengers are expected to pass through the airport in 2010; the new terminal has capacity for 3 million.The new terminal covers a total floor area of 42,719 m ² across its five floors (basement, arrivals level, mezzanine, departures level and terrace viewing area).

Four fixed, 39 m-long elevated passenger boarding bridges (PBBs) with articulating corridors, accommodating a total of eight passenger gates, connect the passenger concourse to narrow- and wide-body aircraft, and provide access to the apron for smaller aircraft. The terminal also features 44 check-in desks; and three inbound and two outbound baggage carousels. Enlarged car parking facilities can accommodate 1,200 vehicles.